Pitt Rolls Tide

Alpharetta, GA – Attackman Tyler Novotny notched 5 goals and 2 assists to lead the Pittsburgh men’s lacrosse team to a 16-4 victory over Alabama on Sunday, finishing off the Panthers’ southern spring break tour.

Pitt now moves to 4-0-1 on the season, and 2-0 in the CCLA, while Alabama falls to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in SELC play.

The Panthers wasted no time in scoring in the first quarter. Less than two minutes into the game Novotny found fellow attackman Alex Powell on the crease for the first score, before dumping in a hat trick in only the first quarter. Colin Peck dodged defenders to stick another goal for the Panthers, and Pitt closed out the quarter with a 5-0 lead.

The offensive run was not over. Pitt continued the streak with a goal from Nick Ruff, until Alabama’s Jeffrey Kurtz finally put one in for the tide. The second quarter ended with a score of Pitt 8, Bama 1. The other two goals in the second came from freshman Conor “Spike” Nugent.

Scoring became more diverse as Pitt began to look deeper in the depth chart. Pitt had nine different goal scorers on Sunday, and a total of fourteen Panthers recorded points. Second half goals came from Clay Sobocinski,Bryan Peck, Chad Kinslow, Sam Kearns, and Elliott Clakeley. Novotny also put in two more goals to finish with five, and Nugent added another to complete the hat trick.

After scoring only one goal in the first half, Alabama snuck three goals past goalie Drew Miller in the second half.

“We knew that we couldn’t take Alabama lightly,” remarked Co-Head Coach Alex Perry about the victory. “We executed the game plan well, and we were able to get some of the younger guys substantial playing time. It was a great way to end our southern spring break trip.”

This win brings Pitt’s overall record against Alabama to 2-0.

Note: Sophomore attack Sam Westenberger likely suffered a concussion during the game. He is expected to make a full recovery and will return to the field once he is medically cleared for action.